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@#Introduction: Picky eating behaviour was linked to nutritional problems due to limited dietary variety. This study aimed to determine the causes and consequences associated with picky eating behaviour among school-aged children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 339 children aged seven to nine years participated in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic factors, eating behaviours and child/ parental feeding style were assessed through parent’s questionnaires, while eating habits of children were accessed through child’s questionnaire. Body height and weight were measured; body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Cognitive function level was determined using the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices test. Results: One third (38%) of the children were picky eaters and consumed lesser vegetables (χ2 =4.49,p=0.034) and fish (χ2 =5.55,p=0.019), but more milk and dairy products (χ2 =3.91,p=0.048), snacks (χ2 =6.25,p=0.012) and fast food (χ2 =7.35,p=0.007) compared to non-picky eaters. Picky eaters were more likely to have normal weight status based on weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age compared to non-picky eaters (p<0.05). Picky eaters came from a household with other picky eaters in the family and their parents tend to use an instrumental feeding style. Picky eaters had a poorer cognitive function compared to non-picky eaters (p=0.03). Conclusion: We did not find significant differences in growth parameters between picky and non-picky eaters but picky eaters were more likely to have a poorer cognitive function. As parental feeding styles significantly influenced children’s eating behaviour, interventions should target parents to improve their children’s dietary variety.
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@#Introduction: Picky eating is defined by the reluctance of consuming familiar foods, trying new food and having strong food preferences. It is common among children; however limited and inconsistent studies have being done to investigate the incidence and its relationship among pre-schoolers in Malaysia. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of picky eaters among pre-schoolers and its association with nutritional status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 192 preschool children in Kuala Selangor district, Malaysia. A set of online questionnaires consisted of Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) was administered online. Self-reported weight and height were also collected. Results: 31.8% of the children were identified as picky eaters. Their weight, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height, height-for-age z-score (HAZ), Body Mass Index (BMI) and BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) were significantly lower than non-picky eaters (p<0.05). A lower degree of food responsiveness, enjoyment of food and emotional overeating combined with higher degree of food fussiness and slowness in eating were prevalent among picky eaters (p<0.05). Picky eating behaviour was significantly associated with WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that 1 in 3 children is a picky eater and they are more likely to be underweight. This highlights more comprehensive studies in the future to investigate the long-term effect of such behaviour.
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Background: Picky eating is common in preschool-aged children. Children's picky eating behaviour has been linked both to being overweight and underweight. Authors objectives was to study the factors associates of picky eating behaviour on growth and nutritional status of children.Methods: A Cross-sectional study done in 200 parents of children between 1-5 year age visiting outpatient department. Picky eating behaviours were assessed using questions from children eating behaviour questionnaire.Results: In the study, the estimated prevalence rate was 25%, maximum 38% at 49 to 60 months. 26% of subjects with picky eating behaviour had height for age <-3SD (severely stunted) 38% of subjects with picky eating behaviour had weight for height <-3SD (severely wasted) as compared to only 4% in non-picky eating behaviour subjects. Low birth weight and exclusive breast feeding for less than 6 month, were found to be significant risk factor for development of picky eating behaviour, while no significant association was seen with the time of introduction of semisolid complimentary feeds.Conclusions: Picky eating is major parental concern and impacts growth of children. The children with picky eating behaviours need to be monitored for growth.
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ABSTRACT This study aimed at describing the lipid profile of children with feeding difficulties (FD), as well as to verify the impact of clinical types of FD and other markers on the presence of dyslipidemias (DLP). It was a cross-sectional study with 61 children between 2 and 10 years old. The following data was collected from medical records: age, gender, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (months), dosages of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides (according to recommendations for age), type of FD, BMI z-score, dietary intake of carbohydrates and lipids (% energy intake), and daily consumption of milk (ml), fiber (g) and sugar sweetened beverages (SSB, ml). T-Student-test and ANOVA test were used, with a 5% significance level. Children were mostly picky eaters (55.7%), and 47.5% had dyslipidemia, mostly low HDL-c (27.6%) and hypertriglyceridemia (21.9%). No significant relationship was found between DLP and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p= 0.93), BMI (p> 0.40), type of FD (p> 0.26), or dietary characteristics (p> 0.12). Children with dyslipidemia tended to drink higher volumes of SSB when compared to recommended values (p= 0.044). The prevalence of DLP found was higher than the average shown in children. More studies are needed to prove if there is a true association between FD and dyslipidemia.
RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el perfil lipídico de niños con dificultades alimentares (DA) y verificar el impacto de los tipos clínicos de DA y otros marcadores sobre la presencia de dislipemias (DLP). Se trató de un estudio transversal con 61 niños de 2 a 10 años. Se obtuvieron los datos de edad, sexo, duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva (meses), colesterol total, HDL, LDL, VLDL y triglicéridos (según las recomendaciones para la edad), tipo de DA, índice-z del IMC, consumo dietético de carbohidratos y lípidos (% energético), consumo diario de leche (ml), fibra (g) y bebidas endulzadas (SSB, ml). Se usaron pruebas T-Student y ANOVA, con nivel de significancia del 5%. Los niños fueron selectivos (55,7%) y el 47,5% dislipidémicos, principalmente con HDL-c bajo (27,6%) y hipertrigliceridemia (21,9%). No se encontró relación significante entre DLP y la duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva (p= 0,93), el IMC (p> 0,40), el tipo de DA (p> 0,26) o las características dietéticas (p> 0,12). Los niños dislipidémicos tendieron a beber mayores volúmenes de SSB en comparación con los valores recomendados (p= 0,044). La prevalencia de DLP encontrada es más alta que el promedio que se muestra en niños. Se necesitan más estudios para demostrar asociaciones sólidas entre DA y dislipidemia.
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Humans , Feeding and Eating Disorders , Child , Dyslipidemias , Child Nutrition , Child HealthABSTRACT
Background: Iron deficiency anemia and feeding difficulties (FD) are common issues in childhood, reinforcing the concern about the risk of micronutrient deficiencies. FD do not necessarily reflect nutritional deficiencies, since they may or may not relate to specific nutrient sources. The objective of the study is to describe the prevalence of iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia in children with FD and to seek associations with diagnosis and its markers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 68 patients (convenience sample). The following data were assessed through medical records: age (months), gender, exclusive breastfeeding duration (months), birth weight (kg), iron supplementation, hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, repertory of foods consumed (food inventory and 3-day food record analysis), and diagnosis of FD. Data were classified according to references for age and were analyzed using correlation tests, Student's t test, ANOVA and chi-square test, or its nonparametric equivalents. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results: Iron depletion and anemia were identified in 10.1 and 6% of children, respectively. Picky eating was diagnosed in 35.3%. Food repertory consisted on average of 21 foods, with null correlation to Hb and ferritin. The average fortified milk intake was 517 ml/day, with null correlation to Hb. There was no effect of diagnosis of FD on Hb (p = 0.18) or ferritin (p = 0.52). The same was verified in the children without supplementation, to both Hb (p = 0. 54) and ferritin (p = 0.08). Conclusions: No evidence of association between diagnosis of FD or repertory of foods to anemia or iron depletion was found, which could be a reassuring factor for caregivers. Reproduction in large scale as well as inclusion of dietary intake variables is suggested for further research.
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Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency , Feeding Behavior , Micronutrients/deficiencyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Thin children may have insufficient intake of energy and nutrients, resulting in reduced immune function and growth. This study aimed to identify the effects of multiple herb formula SEC-22 supplementation on growth, dietary changes, and picky eating behaviors in thin children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 79 children aged 2-5 years with poor appetites, BMI percentile < 25, and without any illness. Subjects were given either SEC-22 (n = 35) or placebo (n = 44) for 2 months and followed for an additional 2 months. Three-day dietary records, questionnaires on picky eating behaviors, and anthropometric measures were collected. RESULTS: Energy, carbohydrate intake, and feeding difficulty improved in both groups during the intervention period. However, changes were maintained only in the SEC-22 group after 2 months of follow-up post-supplementation. 'Frequency of trying to feed' was improved in the SEC-22 group compared to the placebo group after the first month of follow-up (P < 0.05). Intakes of potassium and thiamine were improved in the SEC-22 group compared to the placebo group after the first month of intervention (P < 0.05). 'Frequency of food reward', eating amount, and intakes of carbohydrate, potassium, and vitamin C showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group after the second month of follow-up (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SEC-22 supplementation can improve parental feeding difficulty resulting from insufficient eating amount or picky eating as well as increase nutrient intake in thin children. Although these improvements were observable at least 2 months after supplementation, effects beyond this time frame need to be confirmed.
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Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Appetite , Ascorbic Acid , Diet Records , Eating , Feeding Behavior , Follow-Up Studies , Parents , Potassium , Thiamine , ThinnessABSTRACT
This study was conducted in order to investigate the association between picky eating behaviors of preschool children and growth outcomes. In this study, picky eating behaviors were defined as containing four constructs of 'eating a small amount (ES),' 'neophoic behavior (NB),' 'refusal of specific food groups (RF),' and 'preference for specific food-preparation methods (PP).' A 7-point scale was used for the multi-item questionnaire, which consisted of 21 items (three items for ES, two items for NB, nine items for RF, and seven items for PP), in order to evaluate picky eating behaviors of children. Subjects were recruited among visitors at a medical clinic in Seoul. A total of 150 self-administered survey responses from parents of preschool children were analyzed in order to investigate the association between picky eating behaviors of preschool children and growth outcomes. Height for age (HFA) and weight for height (WFH) z-scores were used for assessment of preschool children's growth. The prevalence of ES, NB, RF, and PP was 44%, 57%, 73%, and 53%, respectively. Children with ES had lower HFA (p < 0.05) and WFH (p < 0.0001) than those without ES, while children with NB, RF, or PP had HFA and WFH were similar to their counterparts. The mean HFA z-score of children with ES was less than 0 (p < 0.05) and the mean WFH z-scores of children with ES, NB, RF, or PP were less than 0 (p < 0.05). According to the study results, related growth outcome differed depending on constructs of picky eating behaviors. In particular, picky eating of ES showed a risk of faltering height growth in preschool children. Further comprehensive studies on the reason for ES and intervention approach is warranted.
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Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Eating , Feeding Behavior , Parents , Prevalence , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This study is to verify the effects of sensory education based on classroom activities for 2nd and 3rd grade children. The hypothesis is that children who participated in sensory education would demonstrate positive changes in eating behaviors through sensory experiences. The sensory education program consists of 12 lessons. Twenty-six children were being recruited from one school in Changwon, Korea. Two control groups, one of which was the same age as the educated group and the other group of sixth graders, were selected by random sampling from the same school. Children answered a self-administered questionnaire. The parents (n = 20) of the children who participated in the program, took part in evaluating the program through self-administered questionnaires after the program ended. The questionnaire contained variables of general characteristics, education satisfaction, nutrition knowledge, eating attitude and behavior concerning unfamiliar foods. The score of nutrition knowledge was improved in educated children (P < 0.05). Food neophobia score towards unfamiliar foods (P < 0.05) was increased in educated children, but there are no changes in eating behaviors in all groups towards unfamiliar foods. In conclusion, sensory education is useful for having a positive eating attitude among children. Its consistent implementation could lead to healthier and well-balanced eating behaviors for children.
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Child , Humans , Eating , Feeding Behavior , Korea , Parents , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This study was conducted to develop a nutrition education workbook to improve picky eating in children and to evaluate the effect of nutrition education using this developed workbook. The developed workbook focused on 2nd and 3rd grade students and consisted of five units. The contents included: multi-grain, vegetables (2 units), fish, and milk. The activities, including observation, and learning the roles and names of the foods, were developed mainly to increase motivation for eating a balanced diet. This workbook was developed from April to December 2008, and was applied at 15 elementary schools containing 1,674 students from April to September 2009 in Changwon City, Korea. We evaluated changes in knowledge before and after education on nutrition, eating behavior, dietary habits, and educational activities using self-administered questionnaires. The children demonstrated significant improvements in nutritional knowledge (P<0.001), eating behavior (P<0.001), and dietary habits (P<0.001). Most of the children answered that the education program was helpful and exciting. Based on these results, we believe that the developed workbook is suitable for children picky eaters, and hope it will be used in the field of child nutrition education.